It is not uncommon to visit mom and see that well-honed perplexed look on her face. It says I'm trying to not make a decision because I'd rather stay with something clearly not working in lieu of change. Today the said decision was about hearing loss. To most, perhaps the idea of new technology in the market of hearing aids would be appreciated. I mean the only way for the clear, minisucle thing to be any less obvious would be to not wear one.
But there seemed to be a rub. You guessed it, I took the bait. "Mom, why are you not happy about the prospect of being able to hear? You complain all the time about your hearing and, according to you, you found an affordable solution." She replies that indeed the cost is not prohibitive and proceeds to contort her face even more. Having cleared the financial hurdle I could only assume she was worried about comfort or it's technical operation. I was wrong. As I sat there ready to help my aging parent reach acceptance of life's latest challenge, she turns to me and raises a very valid question - "How will I spray my hair?"
But there seemed to be a rub. You guessed it, I took the bait. "Mom, why are you not happy about the prospect of being able to hear? You complain all the time about your hearing and, according to you, you found an affordable solution." She replies that indeed the cost is not prohibitive and proceeds to contort her face even more. Having cleared the financial hurdle I could only assume she was worried about comfort or it's technical operation. I was wrong. As I sat there ready to help my aging parent reach acceptance of life's latest challenge, she turns to me and raises a very valid question - "How will I spray my hair?"
I suppose at this point I should clarify her hairstyle is a modified beehive, carefully sculptured into place every other week by a professional and refined daily by mom with more attention to detail than NASA gives a rocket launch. I do my best to retain a sense of compassion but still have to make sure she is not joking. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation I offer options of covering it or better yet, spraying her hair before she puts it in her ear.
This advice was met with crossed arms, a glare and the following statement of sound, serious logic "It will mess up my hair if I put it in afterwards. And my hair is all I have left, everything else is falling apart. It's the only thing I still get compliments on and I'm not giving it up."
To this I simply said nothing. She wouldn't have heard me anyway.
This advice was met with crossed arms, a glare and the following statement of sound, serious logic "It will mess up my hair if I put it in afterwards. And my hair is all I have left, everything else is falling apart. It's the only thing I still get compliments on and I'm not giving it up."
To this I simply said nothing. She wouldn't have heard me anyway.
